I nod, and she runs off to the bathroom. Liz isn’t bad. She’s just a bit self-centered and still acts like she’s sixteen instead of twenty-six sometimes. But I like her. Sometimes she gives me some of her clothes she won’t wear anymore, even if it’s just because she is too lazy to throw it out. Thanks to her, I can wear something new sometimes, as Alec won’t ever leave me any money to buy anything.
I keep working, and the bar is so full, even Robert seems in a good mood. Liz and I run around without stopping to keep up until about 11 pm.
Now the groups are paying and exiting the bar one after another, going to find some more fun somewhere else. I canclean the tables without stopping every time to take a new order, and even Robert went outside for a quick smoke. I realize Alec is still there; only he isn’t alone anymore. Why is he talking with Marcus?
I don’t like this. This pervert is leering me, whispering with my brother, who doesn’t seem very happy. Alex’s fidgeting. I wish I knew what they’re talking about...
“Nora! If you’re done, come clean the glasses, girl!”
Liz has decided she’s done for tonight. She takes her apron off and waves me good-bye before heading to the back exit. She probably was waiting for a chance to go while her dad is not watching.
I take over behind the sink, and I’m almost in front of my brother and Marcus now. They immediately stop talking, and both stare at me. One is looking at me with disgust, the other with lust.
“Hi, Nora,” says Marcus
I ignore him and keep washing one glass after another. Even if I concentrate on my hands, I can feel his gaze piercing me. It’s so unsettling.
“Playing hard to get? That’s not what this pretty skirt says, you know.”
Won’t he stop? My own brother is sitting in front of him, and neither of them minds his trashy talk! This man is so disgusting. My wolf is growling inside, annoyed, too. Can’t he just drink and leave like everyone else?
“Isn’t your sister good at this, Alec? She’s a freak, all right, but a hot one...”
The freak doesn’t want any attention, you pervert. There are so many hot girls in the pack, why is he always after me? I’m not pretty, I wear ragged and oversized clothes, and I even have a scar across my face! Is he blind or what?
Suddenly, his hands go over the counter, and he grabs my wrist.
“Hey, don’t run away, sweetheart. Come on; I just want to chat a bit.”
Let me go! I struggle to break free, but he won’t let go. He is grinning and holding as hard as he can until it hurts.
“Let me go!”
“Oh, here’s your pretty voice, sweetheart. Do you have any idea how enticing it sounds? You could...”
“Enough!” Robert is back, and his yell surprises Marcus enough that he loses his grip, and I can free myself. I massage my painful wrist and step back. Marcus looks pissed, but he won’t win against Robert’s angry face.
“Marcus, why the hell are you annoying her when she’s working! Get out!”
Marcus grunts, but he knows who the stronger wolf in the room is. He pays and leaves, to my relief. That was close... He’s gotten physical a few times before, but these days, he really is pushier than usual.
Alec, still silent, gives me an annoyed look and leaves behind him. I see him catching up with Marcus outside, a pissed-off expression on his face, talking to him. Robert starts counting today’s tips while looking at them across the window.
“Tsk, this guy is such a pain... And you, hurry up with the cleaning. I’m tired.”
No need to tell me twice.
The bar is located downtown, thirty minutes away from our Jade Moon territory. I don’t mind the walk. Most people don’t even notice me, and I can enjoy the quietness of the night. And it’s mid-October, so it’s not too cold either.
Though Silver City can be dangerous at times, we cohabitate peacefully with humans. They don’t meddle in ourpack situations, but it’s different between the werewolf clans. We get into fights with other packs sometimes, but the Jade Moon Clan never looks for trouble willingly. We don’t want to upset a bigger, stronger Clan by mistake.
I finally make it back to the main house, but surprisingly, someone’s still up. Rory and Bill are talking in the kitchen over some drinks. I just head right away for the basement, but they call me when they see me.
“Hey, freak! Come here for a second.”
I’m in no mood to entertain them now... I want to flee to the basement and get some sleep! But they insist with a hand gesture, and I guardedly enter the dining hall.
“Oh, come on; we are not going to eat you or something’.” Says Rory, seeing me so defiant.
